PHANTOM

I saw a ship sailing,

No other ship in sight.

Steadily she was sailing

Although the wind fell light.

Although the wind was failing

Still she kept sailing.

No hand there that steered her,

No wind that strained her sheet.

And as I gazed I feared her:

Why should she be so fleet

Since no crew’ s chanty cheered her,

And no wind neared her?

Her strange sure motion

Carried her swiftly past;

Over the rim of ocean

I watched her dip her mast.

Still no wind blew in motion

Across the ocean.